Gareth Batty, Surrey's head coach, dedicated his team's third consecutive County Championship title to the outgoing director of cricket, Alec Stewart, describing him as "irreplaceable" and adding that it was "delusional" to think that anyone could emulate the influence he has wielded across his five decades at the Kia Oval.

Surrey wins third consecutive County Championship title as Head Coach Batty hails Alec Stewart's 'irreplaceable' contribution. Explore the team's journey!

Join Tanya Aldred for live updates from around the grounds on day three of the penultimate round of action. Close of play scores 18:27 Division One Hampshire 462 and 204 v Worcestershire 273 and 117-5 Worcestershire need 277 with five wickets standing Kent 225 and 230 (f/o) v Nottinghamshire 433 and 28-0 Nottinghamshire won by 10 wickets Lancashire 140 and 398 v Somerset 146 and 204-6 Somerset need 189 to win with four wickets standing Surrey 415 and 25-0 v Durham 262 and 177 Surrey won by 10 wickets Division Two Derbyshire 173 and 119 v Middlesex 358 Middlesex won by an innings and 66 runs Glamorgan 239 and 141-7 v Yorkshire 361 and 273 Glamorgan need another 255 with three wickets standing Gloucestershire 109 and 195 v Sussex 311 Sussex won by an innings and seven runs Northamptonshire 383 and 137-1 v Leicestershire 203 and 316 Northamptonshire won by nine wickets   17:19 With eleven overs left at OT,

Surrey successfully defended their County Championship title, securing it for the third consecutive season. The decisive moment came after Somerset lost to Lancashire. Surrey's victory over Durham ensured their triumph,

Surrey has become the first team to win three straight English County Championship cricket titles since the 1960s when closest challenger Somerset fell to defeat.

Kevin Howells gets reaction from across the country as Surrey win Division One.

Surrey title hat-trick ‘very fitting’ for departing Alec Stewart – Gareth Batty - Somerset’s loss at Lancashire confirmer Surrey as champions for a third year running.